Yesterday , I witnessed two feisty, high intense football games. The Liverpool Manchester Game and the El Clasico, We not only saw the raw emotions and that passions from the players on the field, we also got it from the fans. These are those games which put the world footballing world glued to their television sets not to miss a single second of action. At the stadium the fans chanting their about their clubs rich history , their legendary players who have played for them over the years about their beloved club and lets not forget mocking their bitter rivals at the same time to show why they are the better club.
But apart from all that what makes these games special is the love and support for your team is taken up to another level. Every emotion expressed by the supporters and the players is on another level. These are those games were the referee is under a lot of pressure not only to make right decisions, but also it can be daunting as thousands of supporters present in the stadium can turn against him instantly and also lets not forget added pressure from the players on the field. Cards are shown left and right, rash tackles are made confrontations break out these are what we expect in matches like these and what gets us football supporters going. These are those matches were it is not about the three points, it's much more than that it's pride that we are better than you.
Yesterday we had two cracking matches. The first being the Liverpool and Manchester United fixture. It was important game for both team. These two were not competing for the title but for next year European place, battle for fourth and fifth. And this special occasion was graced by a football legend Pele himself to witness this epic encounter. Simply put these two clubs are the undoubtedly the best clubs in England having won more silverware than any other English team. Manchester United having won 62 trophies over all competitions seconded by Liverpool with 60. With Manchester United having won more English league titles i.e. 20 making them the best English team.
The Match as usual the fans were chanting getting around their players trying to get them focused and feel the intensity of this fixture how important it is to win. The game started well with Manchester United controlling the tempo and the possession of the game and troubling Liverpool at the left flank. At the 14th minute Ander Herrera slid a perfectly weighted pass to Juan Mata controlled beautifully with an elegant first touch and slotted past the Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet leaving him helpless. It seemed to have given United more confidence as there away record has been mediocre this season having won a few on their travels but they seem to play with reason and intent and put Liverpool on the back foot. But liverpool had a chance to equalise when Adam Lallana's shot agonisingly passes the past which left De Gea rooted to this spot. A Good pass from Daniel Sturridge to take away two United defenders from him and place a golden cahnce to Lallana which was wasted. The game in the first was played to cautiously not what you expect in this fixture the players were treating their opposition with respect and it was getting the supporters frustrated. And with United leading and playing well the first half came to an end.
The Second half began with the Introduction of Steven Gerrard replacing Adam Lallana and this got the Liverpool fans excited as well. These are those games were you need to have players like Stevie G on the field cause they understand the passion and emotion of this fixture since this was going to be his last Manchester Liverpool game it would be more special for him. But to everyone's dismay the Liverpool captain lasted on the field only for 38 seconds as he was sent off for a rash challenge on Ander Herrera. The whole world watching this match I'm sure would have been surprised including me as i did not expect that but may be the pressure from the United fan and also not starting this fixture must have gotten to him to act out rashly. So with Gerrard being sent the game swung into United's favour and in the 59th Minute a delicate beautifully weighted pass from Di Maria to Juan Mata who was already on the score sheet scored a sublime scissor kick which i feel is definitely goal of the season. This seemed to be Game over for Liverpool but like i said these are those games were the players have a little something in them where they will fight till the very end and in the 69th minute Daniel Sturridge pulled one back for the home side and it was game on. The Liverpool supporters who seemed to be quiet suddenly started to find their voice and thus the momentum swung in Liverpool's Favour putting Manchester United in the back seat. Liverppol seemed to play better with ten men as they were causing problems to United but United's defence held a solid line and defended well. Mario was introduced midway through second half his only telling moment in the match was Liverpool supporters standing by his side when he pushed to sidelines by Chris Smalling. And in the Dying moments of the game United were awarded a penalty, smart play from Daley Blind to Force Emre Can to trip the United defender. As Expected Wayne Rooney walks to up to take the spot kick , felt he should have given i to Juan Mata as he was already on a hatrick. Surprisingly Rooney missed from the spot a smart save from the Liverpool keeper, still looked like a nervy ending but the Final whistle was blown and after that a moment of madness from Martin Skrtel stamping De Gea's Leg which was clearly intentional from the Liverpool defender, the defender just taking out his frustration on a disappointing loss as they were in good form coming into that game, were as for United a convincing display good first half shaky second half , nevertheless got the job done and still in contention for that European spot. Who knows?, maybe even second place.
The second match was none other than the El Clasico two Spanish giants, European heavyweights. Real Madrid and Barcelona rich history between them. And history with Barcelona having an edge over the Madrid club by winning more El Clasico's Barcelona's 107 wins to Real Madrid's 92. Apart from these rich club histories and fans this fixture also focuses on the star studded squads that these two club possess it's also who is the better player on that day. I'm sure even though it's about these two clubs the media would focus more on Ronaldo and Messi and the other lot. Moving to the game the game started well for both teams but it was Barcelona who struck first Mathieu the full backing heading from a beautiful set piece from Messi leaving Casillas rooted, early set back for Madrid but that goal from Barcelona seemed to have woken Madrid as they started to find their rhythm and started to pass the ball better and play with pace an d midway through the first the grabbed the equaliser with none other than Cristiano Ronaldo Scoring from a neat back hell from Benzema. It was game on!! . That equaliser was the catalyst for Madrid they dominated possession and put Barcelona on the back foot and another talking point of this Bale's offside decision which as replay suggests he was onside and the goal should not have been ruled out. The first half ended with both teams a goal a piece and the momentum clearly in Madrid's favour.
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The Second Half began with Madrid Picking off from where they had left constantly posing a threat to Barcelona's defence but with all that attack their shooting conversion was poor and also they were denied by brilliant saves from the Barcelona shot stopper Claudio Bravo. And With Madrid playing a high line they were caught out in defence with a beautiful long ball from Dani Alves which was controlled beautifully by Suarez and a neat finish from sending Casillas in the wrong direction. After this goal game started to get rough cards were being issued left and right to players and Madrid were in the back foot they looked lost after they had conceded that second goal. Where as Barcelona was piling the pressure on Madrid and just like Madrid they missed a lot of chances to see the game off. And thus the game came to an end. This game was for a fight for the title and right now it seems to be in Barcelona's favour. Both Messi and Neymar weren't at their best. And Suarez getting his first Clasico goal. Madrid would definitely feel they could have drawn the game or won with the chances they had, but in games like these every chance counts. The title race is going to go right down to the wire, with Barcelona having a little breather in points but they cannot afford to slip up as Real Madrid are lurking behind them ready to pounce on their mistakes.
So, After seeing both these matches i wished fixtures like this were there every week, but sadly they aren't. But it's that anticipation before the game the support , passion and emotion during the game and the tears or smiles after the game that keeps us loving and not missing out these fixtures.
But apart from all that what makes these games special is the love and support for your team is taken up to another level. Every emotion expressed by the supporters and the players is on another level. These are those games were the referee is under a lot of pressure not only to make right decisions, but also it can be daunting as thousands of supporters present in the stadium can turn against him instantly and also lets not forget added pressure from the players on the field. Cards are shown left and right, rash tackles are made confrontations break out these are what we expect in matches like these and what gets us football supporters going. These are those matches were it is not about the three points, it's much more than that it's pride that we are better than you.
Yesterday we had two cracking matches. The first being the Liverpool and Manchester United fixture. It was important game for both team. These two were not competing for the title but for next year European place, battle for fourth and fifth. And this special occasion was graced by a football legend Pele himself to witness this epic encounter. Simply put these two clubs are the undoubtedly the best clubs in England having won more silverware than any other English team. Manchester United having won 62 trophies over all competitions seconded by Liverpool with 60. With Manchester United having won more English league titles i.e. 20 making them the best English team.
The Match as usual the fans were chanting getting around their players trying to get them focused and feel the intensity of this fixture how important it is to win. The game started well with Manchester United controlling the tempo and the possession of the game and troubling Liverpool at the left flank. At the 14th minute Ander Herrera slid a perfectly weighted pass to Juan Mata controlled beautifully with an elegant first touch and slotted past the Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet leaving him helpless. It seemed to have given United more confidence as there away record has been mediocre this season having won a few on their travels but they seem to play with reason and intent and put Liverpool on the back foot. But liverpool had a chance to equalise when Adam Lallana's shot agonisingly passes the past which left De Gea rooted to this spot. A Good pass from Daniel Sturridge to take away two United defenders from him and place a golden cahnce to Lallana which was wasted. The game in the first was played to cautiously not what you expect in this fixture the players were treating their opposition with respect and it was getting the supporters frustrated. And with United leading and playing well the first half came to an end.
The Second half began with the Introduction of Steven Gerrard replacing Adam Lallana and this got the Liverpool fans excited as well. These are those games were you need to have players like Stevie G on the field cause they understand the passion and emotion of this fixture since this was going to be his last Manchester Liverpool game it would be more special for him. But to everyone's dismay the Liverpool captain lasted on the field only for 38 seconds as he was sent off for a rash challenge on Ander Herrera. The whole world watching this match I'm sure would have been surprised including me as i did not expect that but may be the pressure from the United fan and also not starting this fixture must have gotten to him to act out rashly. So with Gerrard being sent the game swung into United's favour and in the 59th Minute a delicate beautifully weighted pass from Di Maria to Juan Mata who was already on the score sheet scored a sublime scissor kick which i feel is definitely goal of the season. This seemed to be Game over for Liverpool but like i said these are those games were the players have a little something in them where they will fight till the very end and in the 69th minute Daniel Sturridge pulled one back for the home side and it was game on. The Liverpool supporters who seemed to be quiet suddenly started to find their voice and thus the momentum swung in Liverpool's Favour putting Manchester United in the back seat. Liverppol seemed to play better with ten men as they were causing problems to United but United's defence held a solid line and defended well. Mario was introduced midway through second half his only telling moment in the match was Liverpool supporters standing by his side when he pushed to sidelines by Chris Smalling. And in the Dying moments of the game United were awarded a penalty, smart play from Daley Blind to Force Emre Can to trip the United defender. As Expected Wayne Rooney walks to up to take the spot kick , felt he should have given i to Juan Mata as he was already on a hatrick. Surprisingly Rooney missed from the spot a smart save from the Liverpool keeper, still looked like a nervy ending but the Final whistle was blown and after that a moment of madness from Martin Skrtel stamping De Gea's Leg which was clearly intentional from the Liverpool defender, the defender just taking out his frustration on a disappointing loss as they were in good form coming into that game, were as for United a convincing display good first half shaky second half , nevertheless got the job done and still in contention for that European spot. Who knows?, maybe even second place.
The second match was none other than the El Clasico two Spanish giants, European heavyweights. Real Madrid and Barcelona rich history between them. And history with Barcelona having an edge over the Madrid club by winning more El Clasico's Barcelona's 107 wins to Real Madrid's 92. Apart from these rich club histories and fans this fixture also focuses on the star studded squads that these two club possess it's also who is the better player on that day. I'm sure even though it's about these two clubs the media would focus more on Ronaldo and Messi and the other lot. Moving to the game the game started well for both teams but it was Barcelona who struck first Mathieu the full backing heading from a beautiful set piece from Messi leaving Casillas rooted, early set back for Madrid but that goal from Barcelona seemed to have woken Madrid as they started to find their rhythm and started to pass the ball better and play with pace an d midway through the first the grabbed the equaliser with none other than Cristiano Ronaldo Scoring from a neat back hell from Benzema. It was game on!! . That equaliser was the catalyst for Madrid they dominated possession and put Barcelona on the back foot and another talking point of this Bale's offside decision which as replay suggests he was onside and the goal should not have been ruled out. The first half ended with both teams a goal a piece and the momentum clearly in Madrid's favour.
The Second Half began with Madrid Picking off from where they had left constantly posing a threat to Barcelona's defence but with all that attack their shooting conversion was poor and also they were denied by brilliant saves from the Barcelona shot stopper Claudio Bravo. And With Madrid playing a high line they were caught out in defence with a beautiful long ball from Dani Alves which was controlled beautifully by Suarez and a neat finish from sending Casillas in the wrong direction. After this goal game started to get rough cards were being issued left and right to players and Madrid were in the back foot they looked lost after they had conceded that second goal. Where as Barcelona was piling the pressure on Madrid and just like Madrid they missed a lot of chances to see the game off. And thus the game came to an end. This game was for a fight for the title and right now it seems to be in Barcelona's favour. Both Messi and Neymar weren't at their best. And Suarez getting his first Clasico goal. Madrid would definitely feel they could have drawn the game or won with the chances they had, but in games like these every chance counts. The title race is going to go right down to the wire, with Barcelona having a little breather in points but they cannot afford to slip up as Real Madrid are lurking behind them ready to pounce on their mistakes.
So, After seeing both these matches i wished fixtures like this were there every week, but sadly they aren't. But it's that anticipation before the game the support , passion and emotion during the game and the tears or smiles after the game that keeps us loving and not missing out these fixtures.
Pictures courtesy Getty images
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